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When to Plant Broccoli in Forsyth County, NC

Broccoli

Broccoli is a nutrient-dense cool-season crop that produces large central heads followed by smaller side shoots. It is one of the most popular garden vegetables.

Forsyth County, North Carolina is in USDA Zone 8a. The average last spring frost is April 11 and the first fall frost is October 22, giving you a growing season of approximately 194 days.

At an elevation of 424 feet, Forsyth County receives approximately 44.4 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly clay loam soil. Summer highs average 90°F, providing good warmth for Broccoli during the growing season. Clay soil retains moisture well for Broccoli, but amend with compost to improve drainage and prevent root rot.

Forsyth County, NC (Zone 8a) Moderate season
194 days
Last Spring Frost April 11
194 growing days
First Fall Frost October 22

Forsyth County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Clay Loam

Soil pH

6.0-7.0

Drainage

Well Drained

How Much Broccoli to Grow

1-2 lbs
Average yield per plant
3
Plants per person
6 sq ft
Space per person

For a family of 4, plant approximately 12 broccoli plants in about 24 sq ft. In Forsyth County's 194-day season, you'll have plenty of time for a full harvest. Plan your garden layout →

Broccoli Planting Timeline — Forsyth County, NC

Broccoli Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors March 7 Mar 7 – Mar 21
Transplant Outdoors April 11 Apr 11 – Apr 25
Direct Sow March 28 Mar 28 – Apr 18
Harvest June 13 Jun 13 – Jul 25
Fall Sowing August 13 Aug 13 – Aug 27

Plant 1" deep · 15" apart · Rows 24" apart

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January
February
March Start Indoors Direct Sow
April Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
May
June Harvest
July Harvest
August Fall Sowing
September
October
November
December

Growing Conditions

☀️ Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

💧 Water

Moderate — regular watering

📅 Days to Maturity

60–90 days

🧪 Soil pH

Needs 6–7 · Your soil: N/A

🗺️ USDA Zone

Zone 8a

📆 Growing Season

194 days in Forsyth County

Growing Tips for Forsyth County

Start seeds indoors 6-8 weeks before last frost. Provide consistent moisture to prevent hollow stems. Harvest heads before yellow flowers appear.

Companion Planting

Good Companions

Avoid Planting Near

  • Tomatoes
  • Strawberries

Check more plant combinations with our Companion Planting Checker →

🌾 Save Your Own Broccoli Seeds
Life Cycle Biennial
Pollination Cross-Pollinated (insects)
How to Collect Allow plants to flower 2nd year; collect dry pods.
Storage Store airtight; viable 5 years at 35°F, under 50% humidity.

Isolate 1/2 mile from other brassicas. Biennial — must overwinter roots.

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Broccoli in Forsyth County, NC?

Forsyth County is in Zone 8a with an average last frost of April 11. Plan your Broccoli planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Forsyth County, NC?

Forsyth County, North Carolina is in USDA Hardiness Zone 8a. The average last spring frost is April 11 and first fall frost is October 22.

🌱

Your Forsyth County Garden Planner — Free

A 22-page printable planner built for Forsyth County (Zone 8a). Planting dates, a month-by-month schedule, harvest log, seed inventory, and succession charts — all dialed in for your exact growing season.

Instant PDF download. No spam, unsubscribe any time.

Data sources: USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map (2023), NOAA 30-Year Climate Normals. Frost dates are based on 50% probability averages for Forsyth County, NC. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: July 2026.

Sources & credits

Every number on this page traces back to a primary horticulture or government data source. Click through to verify.